Saints P Morstead eyeing record

METAIRIE, La. (AP) - While the New Orleans Saints have struggled this season, punter Thomas Morstead is on track for a record-setting campaign and possible Pro Bowl nod.

The fourth-year pro out of SMU leads the NFL with a net punting average of 44.7 yards. Last season, San Francisco 49ers punter Andy Lee set the current single-season record in that category at 43.99 yards.

Morstead also has received more fan votes for the Pro Bowl than any other NFC punter, making him a front-runner to go to Hawaii if voting by coaches and players follows suit.

Morstead, who signed a six-year, $21.9 million extension last July, says he wants to set the net punting record, which he views as a team achievement because it takes punt coverage into account.